Thriftfind

Friday, April 27, 2012

Our house was designed by an architect called Sigvaldi Thordarson. It was built in the sixties and we absolutely love the layouts. Shortly after we bought it I realized my old Ikea dining table would look rather small and silly in the new dining room. Of course I dreamt of all kinds of teak gems I had seen on blogs but the thrift stores weren't exactly stocked with them. Then I thought of the set my late grandparents had and when I asked mom where that had ended up she had no idea. It was probably given away to charity after their death.

A few weeks later I was looking at an article in the paper and saw a table and chairs that looked exactly like grandma's dining room set. That's when I discovered the set was actually designed by the architect Sigvaldi Thordarson. I was heartbroken as I really felt that set belonged in my dining room.

A couple of days later I was browsing through the Icelandic version of Craigslist and literally could not believe my eyes when I saw that very table for sale. I think we would have paid just about anything for it but it was very reasonably priced.

I'm always on the lookout for the chairs and the credenza and I'm sure one day they will find their way to me. In the meantime we have the Ikea cabinet and I kind of like contrast of the old table with the new chrome and leather chairs.

I also love the seventies vase on the table. My dad got it for his thirtieth birthday and as he is no longer with us I love having his things all around me.

Since moving in to our new home I find myself constantly rearranging furniture and looking out for new and old things to decorate with. That's why I've decided to start a blog to keep track of how things evolve around here.

Above is a danish teak dresser my mother bought when she was a teenager. It's been around me all my life so I was thrilled when she told me I could have it. The vase is an eighties Rosenthal Studio Linie I salvaged from mom's attic. I love it. The two ittala candle holders were a Christmas gift from my ten year old niece. They are in moss green and I think they really tone with the art work. Ragnar Þórisson, a young Icelandic artist, painted the picture. I think it's lovely and spooky all at the same time.